New Zealand’s eight Cabinet committees, their structure, terms of reference and membership, were established in September 2002. During November 2005, arrangements were being made for the operation of Cabinet committees in the third Labour led government.

Policy Committee (POL) Considers major policy and strategic issues.

Economic Development Committee (EDC) (replacing former Cabinet Economic Development Committee and Cabinet Finance, Infrastructure and Environment Committee)
Considers policies relating to economic development, the macroeconomic framework and economic infrastructure, and the environment.

Social Development Committee (SDC) (replacing former Cabinet Education and Health Committee and Cabinet Social Equity Committee)
Considers social, education and health policy.

Legislation Committee (LEG) Considers the government's legislation programme, bills, regulations, government responses to select committee reports on inquiries and petitions, and other House business issues.

Committee on Government Expenditure and Administration (EXG) Considers issues relating to government expenditure and administration.

Appointments and Honours Committee (APH) Considers key appointments to statutory and other government agencies, Public Service Chief Executive appointments, and nominations for the New Zealand Royal Honours.

Cabinet External Relations and Defence Committee (ERD) Considers external relations and defence issues.

Cabinet Committee on Domestic and External Security Co-ordination (DES) (replacing the former Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on Intelligence and Security and Ad Hoc Committee on Domestic and External Security Coordination)
Considers issues relating to the domestic and external security of New Zealand and New Zealanders.